One of my favorite little things about living in Japan is going to the supermarket without a big plan and discovering the simple foods and drinks that have become part of everyday life. Today, I picked up a few things from my local Japanese supermarket. Nothing fancy or expensive—just some practical everyday items, a few snacks, and things that are easy to enjoy at home.
Here’s what I bought today.
Shirasu
The first thing I picked up was shirasu (しらす), the tiny white fish that you see everywhere in Japanese supermarkets. Today for the first time I bought it. Shirasu is a common Japanese food and is especially convenient because it can be added to rice, noodles, vegetables, or other simple meals. I like how easy it is to use when you want to prepare something quickly. Hope to share the recipe with you soon.
For a busy day, having something like shirasu in the refrigerator can be very useful. A little bit over warm rice or mixed into a simple meal can make it more interesting without requiring much preparation. If you are a busy mom, this will be a great option.
Café Latte Pack
I also bought a café latte pack.
Japanese supermarkets have so many ready-to-drink coffee and café latte options, and I always find myself looking at the different varieties.
Sometimes, when the day is busy, it is nice to have a little café-style drink at home without actually going to a café. I can simply take it from the refrigerator and enjoy it during a quiet moment.
It is one of those small things that makes an ordinary day feel a little nicer.
Yakkan Mugicha
Another thing I bought was a yakkan mugicha (やかん麦茶) pack. My baby boy loves mugicha very much.
Mugicha, or Japanese roasted barley tea, is something I have gradually become very familiar with since living in Japan, especially since our baby boy loves it. It has a mild, refreshing taste and is commonly enjoyed cold, especially during the warmer months.
I particularly like having a large jug of mugicha prepared in the refrigerator. It is easy to pour into a glass whenever we need something refreshing.
The word yakkan refers to a kettle or pot, in Japanese and these products are designed to make preparing mugicha at home convenient. For me, mugicha has become one of those everyday Japanese household drinks that I always like to have around.
Cheese
Of course, I also bought some cheese.
Cheese is one of those foods that I always find useful to keep in the refrigerator. It can be eaten as a quick snack, added to bread, used in cooking, or given alongside other foods.
I also like checking the different types and sizes available in Japanese supermarkets because there are usually plenty of choices depending on how much you want to spend.
Easy Biscuit Pack – ¥100
I also picked up an easy biscuit pack for just ¥100.
This is one of the things I enjoy about Japanese supermarkets and discount sections. You can often find small, simple snacks for very little money. A ¥100 snack doesn’t feel like a big purchase, but it can be perfect when you just want something small to keep at home. These kinds of inexpensive everyday foods are actually some of my favorite supermarket finds in Japan.
Japanese Curry Pack
And finally, I bought a Japanese curry pack. It is very easy for my busy life. Look here.
Japanese curry is one of those foods that makes life much easier when you don’t have much time to cook. There are so many ready-made curry options available in Japan, from mild varieties to much spicier ones.
On a busy day, having a curry pack in the cupboard is life saving, I can prepare a simple meal without starting everything from scratch.
I usually like to serve Japanese curry with warm rice, and it is one of those comforting meals that is easy to prepare when you just want something filling and satisfying. Our baby boy also loves kare raisu! He even enjoys eating it at hoikuen too. ❤️🍛Read here, here and here.
Unsweetened Soy Milk
I also picked up a packet of unsweetened soy milk from the Japanese grocery store. Soy milk is something I like to keep at home because it is easy to use in everyday meals and drinks. I usually prefer the unsweetened version because it doesn’t have added sweetness, so it can be used in different ways. You can enjoy it chilled as a drink, add it to coffee or smoothies, or even use it when making pancakes, oatmeal, and other simple recipes. I also like having it in the fridge for days when I want something quick and light.
Japanese supermarkets have so many varieties of soy milk, including sweetened, unsweetened, flavoured, and fortified options. For my regular grocery shopping, the unsweetened type is one of the most practical choices.
A Simple Japanese Supermarket Haul
So that was my little supermarket haul today:
- Shirasu
- Café latte pack
- Yakkan mugicha
- Cheese
- ¥100 biscuit pack
- Japanese curry pack
- Unsweetened Soy Milk
Nothing particularly luxurious, but these are the kinds of everyday purchases that make up ordinary life in Japan.
I think that’s what I enjoy most about supermarket shopping here. You don’t necessarily have to buy something special. Even a quick trip for a few basic foods can introduce you to something new—or simply give you a glimpse into everyday Japanese life.
Living in another country isn’t only about visiting famous places or trying expensive restaurants. Sometimes, a small supermarket basket tells you just as much about daily life.
And today, this was mine.
What would you pick up if you walked into a Japanese supermarket with ¥1,000?
